distressed

adjective

dis·​tressed di-ˈstrest 

: of, relating to, or experiencing economic decline or difficulty

federal grants for distressed cities

Examples of distressed in a Sentence

She felt emotionally and physically distressed.

The government provided funds to the economically distressed city.

Donations were given to financially distressed families.

Recent Examples on the Web

Drewenski said several employees laid off last fall to cut costs had also been reinstated, and addressed the fact that Harvey’s application for financially distressed city status was refused by the state. —Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

The distressed finish fits seamlessly with a relaxed cottagecore aesthetic or a more refined French country style. —Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026

Havertz looked utterly forlorn, visibly distressed to pick up yet another injury after a year decimated by two serious surgeries and long spells of rehabilitation. —Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026

The visible woodgrain, distressed finish, and antique hardware give it a vintage look, and the latticework on both sides adds down-home elegance. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for distressed

• acquiesced
• coalesced
• dispossessed
• manifest
• overdressed
• overstressed
• prepossessed
• reassessed
• reinvest
• repossessed
• unaddressed
• uncompressed